My Father Is the Number One Under Heaven - Chapter 75

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 75. Why is he doing so well?
“Sigh.”
Yeo Unhwi stood in the distance, gazing at the Murim Alliance building.
‘…He’ll manage, won’t he?’
No—he will manage.
A man like Jegal Gil was difficult to convince, but once he set his mind to something, he became more thorough than anyone else.
So there was no need to worry.
Now he would become a poison more lethal than anyone to those villains.
Only a few times would he likely need to lend a hand.
That much was nothing—if the Murim Alliance, which was rotting away as it was, could only change, he would welcome it anytime.
How would the Murim Alliance transform going forward?
Yeo Unhwi found himself looking forward to it.
Of course, it was still far too early to say.
Jegal Gil’s sacrifice and dedication would require no small amount of time.
But even so, it would be far better than the future of the Murim Alliance he had known.
That was enough.
Soon a smile spread across Yeo Unhwi’s lips.
“Then it’s been good to see you. Until next time, stay well, my friend.”
With those words, Yeo Unhwi’s form shot away like light toward the opposite direction.
***
Ever since the Sarim Group, an unwelcome visitor, had passed through the Hebei Peng Clan, followed by the Demonic Cult and their dreadful tidings.
The Peng Family Estate had been in quite a state of unrest for some time.
Add to that the visits from the Murim Alliance investigators, and it could hardly have been otherwise.
But as with all things, after enough time had passed, the estate soon returned to its usual appearance.
Yet this time, a peculiar rumor began to circulate within the Peng Family.
“Did you hear about it?”
One of the estate workers paused mid-task and turned to a colleague beside him.
The colleague, who had been working diligently, tilted his head in confusion.
“What story are you talking about?”
“About Seoyeon’s betrothed.”
“Huh? Oh, that scholar fellow. What about him?”
“Apparently he’s quite a skilled martial artist.”
“What? No, that makes no sense at all.”
The man furrowed his brow as he spoke.
“How did someone who knew nothing but books suddenly become a master martial artist?”
“Well, several people claim to have actually seen it.”
“Who?”
“They say it’s a secret.”
“Come on, don’t be foolish. You have to believe what makes sense. Does that story hold water? If he were truly skilled, wouldn’t he have bragged about it everywhere by now? And yet everyone mocks and insults him as a mere scholar, and you’re saying he hid this ability knowing that? Why? What reason would he have?”
“Well, now that you mention it, that does seem strange.”
“It’s just a baseless rumor, that’s all. No one even knows who started it.”
“You’re right. Haha.”
“Ugh. I thought it would be an interesting story, but—never mind! Stop wasting time with idle gossip and get back to work.”
“Right, of course.”
The man who had brought up the rumor only to be scolded for it smacked his lips and returned to his tasks.
Yet they could never have known.
That the rumor they had just heard was the truth, and was actually scaled down from reality.
During the sparring match between the Sarim Group and the Baekrang-dae, Peng Sejin had done his best to keep it quiet, but not everyone was good at keeping secrets.
A few of those who couldn’t resist gossiping had mentioned Yeo Unhwi to one or two people around them under the guise of secrecy, and the rumor had spread gradually from there.
Oddly enough, while rumors typically grow greatly exaggerated in their spread, in Yeo Unhwi’s case, it had gone the opposite direction—shrinking as it spread.
Those who passed on the story, except for those who had actually witnessed Yeo Unhwi’s martial arts, found the tale so incredible that they unconsciously toned it down, which caused this unusual occurrence.
Thus, hardly anyone actually believed the rumor.
The story itself was simply too implausible.
***
“Hmm.”
In the Patriarch’s Quarters of the Peng Family Estate.
The room’s master, Peng Mugang, was lost in concern that barely qualified as concern.
‘Why? Why is he still managing without falling apart? And why are those Baekrang-dae fellows, who normally never listen to anyone, suddenly getting along so well with him and following him so readily? Why?’
Peng Mugang’s expression twisted in confusion, as if utterly unable to comprehend it.
The concern had arisen precisely because of Yeo Unhwi, whom he had placed in command of the Baekrang-dae as Unit Leader.
This was not what he’d planned. He’d meant it as a test, but he never expected him to succeed quite so completely.
Honestly, Peng Mugang had wanted to see his son-in-law struggle and flounder, not perform so admirably.
But why—why was this happening?
“Mm.”
As Peng Mugang sipped his tea and groaned at this unwelcome reality, Dan Heeyoung sat beside him, beaming with satisfaction.
Why was that?
Oddly enough, she was pleased for the same reason he was troubled.
When she’d suggested entrusting various tasks to help her son-in-law settle into the Peng Family Estate, Peng Mugang—to her exasperation—had promptly handed over the position of Unit Leader of the Baekrang-dae to him.
To a man who knew nothing of martial arts!
When Dan Heeyoung learned of this blunder, it was already too late—Yeo Unhwi had departed with the Baekrang-dae on a bandit suppression mission.
She’d been furious and dumbfounded, but resolved to settle it with her husband only after her son-in-law returned safely.
Yet what happened instead?
On his very first bandit suppression outing with the Baekrang-dae, he’d returned having distinguished himself.
When she heard the rumors—that his opponent was the Ultimate Evil, the Extremely Wicked Demon—she thought she would faint.
She knew that name well enough.
She doubted her son-in-law, with no martial arts training, had actually fought the creature directly, yet the fact that he’d led them well and brought everyone back unscathed filled her with pride.
Later, passing by, she’d witnessed something that surprised her: the Baekrang-dae members following Yeo Unhwi with genuine devotion.
“Unit Leader! Is there anything else you’d have us do? Give us your orders anytime!”
“Unit Leader! Let me handle this reckless one before he causes real trouble!”
“Don’t be absurd! You’re not ready to serve the Unit Leader yet—step back!”
“Wait, are you the only one trying to befriend the Unit Leader? How is this acceptable?!”
Whatever had transpired, whatever he’d done—she didn’t know the details—but one thing was clear: the entire Baekrang-dae followed him with genuine hearts.
Dan Heeyoung was deeply satisfied by this.
Regardless of her husband’s original intent, the outcome proved that entrusting the Baekrang-dae to Yeo Unhwi had been the right choice.
As she recalled this, Dan Heeyoung hummed contentedly and sipped her tea.
“Mm.”
“Hmph.”
And so the two of them sat together, their moods sharply opposed over the very same matter.
Just then—
“Grandmother!”
The door swung open and Yul-i entered with Peng Seoyeon.
She immediately rushed into Dan Heeyoung’s arms.
“There’s my little one. You’ve come.”
Seeing the surprise on Peng Mugang’s face at this unexpected visit, Dan Heeyoung smiled knowingly.
“I invited her. It’s good when mother and daughter see each other often, don’t you think?”
“Hmph. Unnecessary fussing.”
Yet Peng Mugang didn’t seem to truly disapprove.
“Grandfather! Hello!”
Yul-i, nestled against her grandmother, caught sight of her grandfather and broke into a bright smile.
In that instant, the habitually stern face of Peng Mugang softened completely.
“Yes, yes. My precious granddaughter.”
Peng Mugang spread his large hands open.
The desire to hold his granddaughter after so long had escaped him unbidden.
“!”
Yul-i rushed forward with a patter of feet and threw herself into his embrace.
“That’s it, that’s it. Yul-i, did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes. I slept well. Did you sleep well, Grandfather?”
“Of course. I slept very well. Haha.”
The corners of Peng Mugang’s mouth had melted into a broad, unbounded smile.
Looking at him now, who would believe this man was called the roaring tiger of Hebei?
Those who had known Peng Mugang all his life would have gasped at the sight before them.
This was a side of him that even his wife Dan Heeyoung had never witnessed before.
Meeting Yul-i had revealed this new facet of her husband to her.
She had thought that after so many years together, she knew everything about him.
Yet the discovery that he still possessed depths unknown to her struck Dan Heeyoung as remarkable.
Meanwhile, Peng Seoyeon took her seat.
“Ahem.”
The distance between Peng Mugang and Peng Seoyeon remained unchanged.
That was only natural, given they had never been close throughout their lives.
Even after Peng Seoyeon’s return to the Peng Family Estate, nothing had fundamentally altered.
She’s so kind to her granddaughter, yet with her own daughter she acts this way. It makes no sense.
So Dan Heeyoung had been doing her best, straining with all her might, to shift even slightly the coldness between them.
That’s why she’d arranged today’s gathering on purpose.
Splash.
Dan Heeyoung took out a fresh cup and poured tea for Peng Seoyeon.
Peng Seoyeon drank it quietly.
Peng Mugang, too, sipped his tea in silence.
“…Hmm?”
But Yul-i, who was perched on his knee, looked up at him with curiosity in her eyes.
“Would you like to try some?”
“Yes!”
Yul-i nodded eagerly, her answer full of energy.
Peng Mugang held out the cup, and Yul-i, studying it carefully, took a cautious sip.
The reaction came immediately.
“Ugh! It tastes weird!”
“Ha ha ha. Does it now?”
Yul-i scrunched up her face and stuck out her tongue.
It was more than fair for a child to feel that way.
This was medicinal tea, after all.
Peng Mugang burst into laughter and stroked his granddaughter’s head.
In his eyes, even such a sight of her was nothing but endearing.
Dan Heeyoung smiled at the two of them, then suddenly asked Peng Seoyeon a question.
“How is your husband?”
“He had Baekrang-dae training today, so he went there.”
“Is that so? A man who did nothing but study his whole life—I’d have thought he’d lack the stamina for it. But I must say, it’s good to see him working so hard.”
“He seems to enjoy it. Even I didn’t think he’d manage it so well.”
At Dan Heeyoung’s words, Peng Seoyeon smiled slightly.
But then,
“Hmph. It’s too early to say such things.”
Peng Mugang, unwilling to watch his wife praise Yeo Unhwi, let out a derisive snort that made clear his utter disagreement.
It was completely different from the way he’d spoken in the Patriarch’s Quarters, when he’d lauded the deeds of Baekrang-dae.
Yes, Baekrang-dae had earned merit, and yes, Baekrang-dae continued to want Yeo Unhwi as their Unit Leader beside them—let’s grant him that much.
Well, he was lucky enough to earn merit, and through one circumstance or another they’ve managed to get along well enough.
But that didn’t mean Peng Mugang was willing to admit that Yeo Unhwi was doing particularly well.
Peng Mugang had not yet forgiven Yeo Unhwi.
And forgiveness was not something that came easily.
Peng Mugang continued to grumble.
“To be honest, what has that boy actually done? If he doesn’t want to be treated like a freeloader, he should at least be competent at that much—it’s only natural for a man.”
“Then why did you entrust him with such an impossible position when he doesn’t even know martial arts?”
“What?”
“Honestly, you wanted to see him struggle and suffer under Baekrang-dae, didn’t you? But now that he’s actually doing well, you’re displeased. That’s it, isn’t it?”
Hit a nerve.
Peng Mugang’s face twisted as his true feelings were laid bare so precisely.
“You, you little—what’s gotten into you!”
“For goodness sake! Why are you both like this? I called us together to enjoy tea in peace.”
“Let me be clear: I have never truly accepted that boy as part of our family. No! Even if the heavens split in two, I will never call him my son-in-law!”
Caught in his true feelings, Peng Mugang let his words run away from him.
At his harsh words, Peng Seoyeon bit her lip.
“That’s too much!”
“What do you expect me to do? It’s not as though I can help how I feel about him!”
The mood had grown heavy.
So heavy that even Dan Heeyoung found it difficult to mediate.
But then,
“Sniffle… Grandfather.”
The voice of Yul-i reached Peng Mugang’s ears, breaking through his grumbling.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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